Shaped circuit boards suitable for use in electrosurgical devices and rotatable assemblies including same

ABSTRACT

An electrosurgical instrument includes a housing having an elongated shaft extending therefrom and a rotatable member disposed on the housing and operably connected to the elongated shaft. The elongated shaft defines a longitudinal axis extending therealong. The rotatable member is configured to rotate the elongated shaft about the longitudinal axis upon actuation thereof. The rotatable member includes an inner surface defining an interior space therein configured to house at least one printed circuit board about the elongated shaft.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of, andpriority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/731,247, filed on Mar.25, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,023,032, the entire contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to electrosurgical devices and, moreparticularly, to shaped printed circuit boards suitable for use inelectrosurgical devices and rotatable assemblies including the same.

2. Discussion of Related Art

Printed circuit boards (PCBs), sometimes referred to as printed wiringboards (PWBs) or etched wiring boards, are widely used in the assemblyof discrete electrical components into operating circuits. PCBs areavailable in a variety of different types.

PCBs are generally used to mechanically support and electrically connectelectronic components using electrically-conductive pathways or tracesthat conduct signals on the PCB. A typical PCB includes one or morelayers of insulating material upon which patterns of electricalconductors are formed. The insulating layers are generally configured toresist or substantially resist the flow of electricity and to providephysical support for, among other things, conductive layers andelectrical components. In addition to conductive traces on the PCB, apatterned array of holes may be formed to allow for layer-to-layerinterconnections between various conductive features.

PCBs may have circuits that perform a single function or multiplefunctions. A typical PCB may include a variety of electrical components.The electrical components are typically processors, memory devices,clock generators, resistors, cooling units, capacitors, light-emittingdiodes (LEDs) or other types of electrical components. A PCB on whichelectrical components are mounted is sometimes referred to as a printedcircuit assembly (PCA) or a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA).

PCBs may be generally classified into single-sided PCBs, double-sidedPCBs and multi-layer PCBs according to the number of circuit patternsurfaces. PCBs may employ a broad range of technologies to support theelectrical components (e.g., through-hole, surface-mount,mixed-technology, components mounted on one or both sides, etc.) and mayinclude a wide range of single or multilayer constructions (e.g.,single-sided, double-sided, multilayer, flexible, rigid-flex, stripline,etc).

Electrical signals may be used on PCBs for controlling and/or monitoringthe delivery of electromagnetic energy from an energy source to anenergy applicator for applying electromagnetic radiation to heat,ablate, cut and/or coagulate tissue. Electrosurgical forceps that employPCBs may utilize both mechanical clamping action and electrical energyto effect hemostasis by heating the tissue and blood vessels tocoagulate, cauterize and/or seal tissue.

Various kinds of electrosurgical devices that employ PCBs have becomethin and/or compact. In some devices, the amount of space needed toaccommodate the PCBs may make it difficult to reduce the size of thedevices. In some cases, PCB layouts large enough to accommodate theelectrical components needed to provide desired functionality and/orperformance may increase the overall size of the device and potentiallyhinder usability.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to an electrosurgical instrumentincluding a housing having an elongated shaft extending therefrom and arotatable member disposed on the housing and operably connected to theelongated shaft. The elongated shaft defines a longitudinal axisextending therealong. The rotatable member is configured to rotate theelongated shaft about the longitudinal axis upon actuation thereof. Therotatable member includes an inner surface defining an interior spacetherein configured to house one or more printed circuit boards about theelongated shaft.

The present disclosure also relates to an electrosurgical instrumentincluding a housing having an elongated shaft extending therefrom. Theelongated shaft includes a proximal end portion and a laterally-orientedslot disposed in the proximal end portion. A rotatable assembly disposedon the housing and operably connected to the elongated shaft. Therotatable assembly includes one or more protrusions configured to engagethe slot disposed in the proximal end portion of the elongated shaft.The rotatable assembly also includes a rotatable member and one or moreprinted circuit boards disposed within the rotatable member about theelongated shaft.

The present disclosure also relates to a rotatable assembly suitable foruse in electrosurgical devices including a housing having an elongatedshaft extending therefrom, the elongated shaft defining a longitudinalaxis extending therealong. The rotatable assembly includes a rotatablemember operably connected to the elongated shaft. The rotatable memberincludes an inner surface defining an interior space therein configuredto house one or more printed circuit boards about the elongated shaft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Objects and features of the presently-disclosed shaped printed circuitboards and rotatable assemblies including the same will become apparentto those of ordinary skill in the art when descriptions of variousembodiments thereof are read with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a left, side view of an endoscopic bipolar forceps showing ahousing, a rotatable member, a shaft and an end effector assemblyaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, perspective view of a rotatable assemblyincluding the rotatable member and shaft of the forceps shown in FIG. 1according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A is an enlarged, perspective view of a rotatable assembly withparts separated according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3B is an enlarged, perspective, assembled view of the rotatableassembly shown in FIG. 3A according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure

FIG. 3C is an enlarged, perspective, partially-assembled view of therotatable assembly shown in FIG. 3A according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 4A is an enlarged, perspective view of a rotatable assembly withparts separated according to another embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4B is an enlarged, perspective, assembled view of the rotatableassembly shown in FIG. 3A according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure

FIG. 4C is an enlarged, perspective, partially-assembled view of therotatable assembly shown in FIG. 4A according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, perspective view of a rotatable assembly withparts separated according to yet another embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, perspective view of an assembled portion of therotatable assembly shown in FIG. 5 according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, perspective view of a rotatable assembly withparts separated according to still another embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, perspective view of an assembled portion of therotatable assembly shown in FIG. 7 according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of shaped printed circuit board according toan embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of another embodiment of a shaped printedcircuit board in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged, perspective view of a rotatable assemblyincluding the printed circuit board shown in FIG. 9 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged, perspective view of a portion of the rotatableassembly shown in FIG. 11 according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged, perspective view of a rotatable assemblyincluding the printed circuit board shown in FIG. 10 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 14 is an enlarged, perspective view of a portion of the rotatableassembly shown in FIG. 13 according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the presently-disclosed shaped printedcircuit boards and rotatable assemblies including the same are describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals mayrefer to similar or identical elements throughout the description of thefigures. As shown in the drawings and as used in this description, andas is traditional when referring to relative positioning on an object,the term “proximal” refers to that portion of the device, or componentthereof, closer to the user and the term “distal” refers to that portionof the device, or component thereof, farther from the user.

This description may use the phrases “in an embodiment,” “inembodiments,” “in some embodiments,” or “in other embodiments,” whichmay each refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments inaccordance with the present disclosure. For the purposes of thisdescription, a phrase in the form “A/B” means A or B. For the purposesof the description, a phrase in the form “A and/or B” means “(A), (B),or (A and B)”. For the purposes of this description, a phrase in theform “at least one of A, B, or C” means “(A), (B), (C), (A and B), (Aand C), (B and C), or (A, B and C)”.

As it is used in this description, “printed circuit board” (or “PCB”)generally refers to any and all systems that provide, among otherthings, mechanical support to electrical components, electricalconnection to and between these electrical components, combinationsthereof, and the like. For the purposes herein, the term “printedcircuit board” is interchangeable with the term “printed wiring board”and either is represented herein by the acronym PCB. The PCBs describedherein may include electrical components. In general, the term “printedcircuit board” is interchangeable, in this disclosure, with the terms“printed circuit assembly” and “printed circuit board assembly”. The“PCBs” and “circuit boards” described herein are not limited toelectrical component-populated boards, but also include non-populatedcircuit traced substrates of all types.

Electromagnetic energy is generally classified by increasing energy ordecreasing wavelength into radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visiblelight, ultraviolet, X-rays and gamma-rays. As it is used in thisdescription, “microwave” generally refers to electromagnetic waves inthe frequency range of 300 megahertz (MHz) (3×10⁸ cycles/second) to 300gigahertz (GHz) (3×10¹¹ cycles/second). As it is used in thisdescription, “energy applicator” generally refers to any device that canbe used to transfer energy from a power generating source, such as amicrowave or RF electrosurgical generator, to tissue. As it is used inthis description, “transmission line” generally refers to anytransmission medium that can be used for the propagation of signals fromone point to another.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a rotatableassembly configured with one or more shaped PCBs. Thepresently-disclosed shaped PCBs may have a generally circular shape(e.g., PCBs 565 and 566 shown in FIG. 5), a generally half-circularshape (e.g., PCBs 360 a, 360 b, 361 a and 361 b shown in FIG. 3A), orother shapes (e.g., PCBs 965 and 1065 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10,respectively). The shaped PCBs described herein may be manufactured froma wide range of materials including FR4 (flame retardant 4) andpolyamide base laminated materials. In embodiments, one or more shapedPCBs may be rigid, such as those having a substrate made of alumina orFR-4 glass/epoxy laminate. In embodiments, one or more shaped PCBs maybe relatively flexible, such as those having a substrate made ofpolyimide, polyester, and the like. In embodiments, one or more shapedPCBs (e.g., 965 shown in FIG. 9) may be adapted to releasably engagewith embodiments of the presently-disclosed rotatable assembly.

Various embodiments of the presently-disclosed rotatable assemblyinclude a generally circular rotatable member, and may include asubstantially hollow body coupled to the rotatable member. Thepresently-disclosed rotatable assembly according to embodiments mayinclude one or more receptacle assemblies (e.g., 581 shown in FIG. 5)and/or grooves (e.g., 370 a shown in FIG. 3A) and/or slots (e.g., 773 bshown in FIG. 7) recessed into, or otherwise associated with, innersurfaces of the rotatable member and/or the hollow body. In embodiments,the presently-disclosed receptacle assemblies, grooves and/or slotsassociated with inner surfaces of the rotatable member and/or the hollowbody may be configured to receive therein a portion, e.g., a peripheraledge portion (e.g., 364 a shown in FIG. 3A and 564 shown in FIG. 5) or aprotruding tab (e.g., “T” shown in FIGS. 7 and 8), of one or more shapedPCBs. In embodiments, the presently-disclosed rotatable assembly may beadapted to releasably house one or more shaped PCBs.

Various embodiments of the presently-disclosed rotatable assemblyconfigured with one or more shaped PCBs may be suitable for use in wiredand/or wireless devices. Although the following description describesthe use of an endoscopic bipolar forceps, the teachings of the presentdisclosure may also apply to a variety of electrosurgical devices thatinclude an interior space within a rotatable component, e.g., clampingdevices, such as electrosurgical forceps and surgical staplers with jawclamping mechanisms, and devices utilizing electromagnetic radiation toheat, ablate, cut, coagulate, cauterize and/or seal tissue.

In FIG. 1, an embodiment of an endoscopic bipolar forceps 10 is shownfor use with various surgical procedures and generally includes ahousing 20, a handle assembly 30, a rotatable assembly 80, a triggerassembly 70, a shaft 12 and an end effector assembly 100, which mutuallycooperate to grasp, seal and divide tubular vessels and vascular tissue.The end effector assembly 100 is rotatable about a longitudinal axis “A”through rotation, either manually or otherwise, of the rotatableassembly 80.

Rotatable assembly 80 generally includes two halves, which, whenassembled, form a generally circular rotatable member 82 (as well asother components described herein). An embodiment of a rotatableassembly, such as the rotatable assembly 80 of FIG. 1, in accordancewith the present disclosure, is shown in more detail in FIG. 2. It willbe understood, however, that other rotatable assembly embodiments mayalso be used (e.g., 380, 480, 580 and 780 shown in FIGS. 3A, 4A, 5 and7, respectively).

Forceps 10 may include a switch 200 configured to permit the user toselectively activate the forceps 10 in a variety of differentorientations, i.e., multi-oriented activation. In embodiments, when theswitch 200 is depressed, electrosurgical energy is transferred to thejaw members 110 and 120. It is envisioned that the switch 200 may bedisposed on another part of the forceps 10, e.g., the handle 50,rotatable member 82, housing 20, etc.

Although FIG. 1 depicts a bipolar forceps 10 for use in connection withendoscopic surgical procedures, the teachings of the present disclosuremay also apply to more traditional open surgical procedures. For thepurposes herein, the forceps 10 is described in terms of an endoscopicinstrument. It is contemplated that an open version of the forceps mayalso include the same or similar operating components and features asdescribed herein.

End effector assembly 100 generally includes a pair of opposing jawmembers 110 and 120. Shaft 12 generally includes a distal end 16configured to mechanically engage the end effector assembly 100, and aproximal end 14 configured to mechanically engage the housing 20.Examples of end effector assembly embodiments, details of how the shaft12 connects to the end effector 100, as well as details of how the shaft12 is received within the housing 20 and connections relating thereto,are disclosed in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,150,097 entitled“METHOD OF MANUFACTURING JAW ASSEMBLY FOR VESSEL SEALER AND DIVIDER”,the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

In embodiments, the forceps 10 includes an electrosurgical cable 310.Electrosurgical cable 310 may be formed from a suitable flexible,semi-rigid or rigid microwave conductive cable, and may connect directlyto an electrosurgical power generating source, e.g., an electrosurgicalgenerator (not shown). The power generating source may be any generatorsuitable for use with electrosurgical devices, and may be configured toprovide various frequencies of electromagnetic energy. Examples ofelectrosurgical generators that may be suitable for use as a source ofelectrosurgical energy are commercially available under the trademarksFORCE EZ™, FORCE FX™, SURGISTAT™ II, and FORCE TRIAD™ offered byCovidien. Electrosurgical cable 310 may additionally, or alternatively,provide a conduit (not shown) configured to provide coolant fluid from acoolant source (not shown) to one or more components of the forceps 10.The forceps 10 may alternatively be configured as a wireless device.

It is contemplated that the forceps 10 (and/or an electrosurgicalgenerator used in connection with the forceps 10) may include a sensoror feedback mechanism (not shown) which automatically selects theappropriate amount of electrosurgical energy to effectively seal theparticularly-sized tissue grasped between the jaw members 110 and 120.The sensor or feedback mechanism may also measure the impedance acrossthe tissue during sealing and provide an indicator (visual and/oraudible) that an effective seal has been created between the jaw members110 and 120. Examples of sensor system embodiments are described incommonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/427,832 entitled“METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING OUTPUT OF RF MEDICAL GENERATOR” filedon May 1, 2003, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

The forceps 10 may be designed such that it is fully or partiallydisposable depending upon a particular purpose or to achieve aparticular result. For example, end effector assembly 100 may beselectively and releasably engageable with the distal end 16 of theshaft 12 and/or the proximal end 14 of the shaft 12 may be selectivelyand releasably engageable with the housing 20 and the handle assembly30. In either of these two instances, the forceps 10 would be considered“partially disposable” or “reposable”, e.g., a new or different endeffector assembly 100 (or end effector assembly 100 and shaft 12)selectively replaces the old end effector assembly 100 as needed. As canbe appreciated, some of the presently-disclosed electrical and/ormechanical connections may have to be altered to modify the instrumentto a reposable forceps.

Handle assembly 30 includes a fixed handle 50 and a movable handle 40.In embodiments, the fixed handle 50 is integrally associated with thehousing 20 and the handle 40 is movable relative to the fixed handle 50.In embodiments, the rotatable assembly 80 is integrally associated withthe housing 20 and is rotatable approximately 180 degrees in both theclockwise and counterclockwise direction about a longitudinal axis “A-A”of rotation.

In embodiments, the housing 20 is formed from two housing halves (notshown). Each half of the housing 20 may include a series of mechanicalinterfacing components (not shown) configured to matingly engage with acorresponding series of mechanical interfaces (not shown) to align thetwo housing halves about the inner components and assemblies of theforceps 10. As can be appreciated, the fixed handle 50 takes shape uponthe assembly of the housing halves. It is contemplated that the housinghalves (as well as other components described herein) may be assembledtogether with the aid of alignment pins, snap-like interfaces, tongueand groove interfaces, locking tabs, adhesive ports, etc., utilizedeither alone or in combination for assembly purposes. Examples ofhousing embodiments and connections relating thereto are disclosed inthe above-mentioned, commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,150,097.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the rotatable assembly 80 in accordancewith the present disclosure that includes a rotatable tube 160 and agenerally circular rotatable member 82. The rotatable member 82 includesinner surfaces defining an interior space 87 within the rotatable member82. The rotatable member 82 includes two generally C-shaped halves 82 aand 82 b, which, when assembled about the tube 160, define an opening inthe rotatable assembly 80. The jaw member 120 is designed to be fixed tothe end of the rotatable tube 160, which is part of the shaft 12, suchthat rotation of the tube 160 will impart rotation to the end effectorassembly 100 (shown in FIG. 1).

Rotatable assembly 80 includes a hollow body 83 coupled to and extendingproximally from the rotatable member 82. Additionally, or alternatively,the rotatable assembly 80 may include a hollow body coupled to andextending distally from the rotatable member 82. Hollow body 83 may takea variety of shapes, e.g., a substantially cylindrical shape. Aninterior space 87 defined by the rotatable member 82 is in communicationwith an interior space 88 defined by the hollow body 83. Rotatableassembly 80 is configured to house one or more shaped PCBs within theinterior space 87 defined by the rotatable member 82 and/or within theinterior space 88 defined by the hollow body 83.

The rotatable assembly 80, or portions thereof, may be configured tohouse a drive assembly and/or a knife assembly, or components thereof.Hollow body 83 defines an interior space 88, in which components of adrive assembly and/or a knife assembly (or other components) may beaccommodated, entirely or in part. Examples of drive assemblyembodiments and knife assembly embodiments of the forceps 10 aredescribed in the above-mentioned, commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No.7,150,097.

FIGS. 3A through 3C show a rotatable assembly 380 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure that includes a first portion 380 aand a second portion 380 b, which, when assembled about the tube 160,form the rotatable assembly 380. The proximal end portion of the tube160 includes a laterally-oriented slot 168, which is designed tointerface with the rotatable assembly 380 as described below.

Rotatable assembly 380 includes a rotatable member 382, and may includea hollow body 383 coupled to and extending proximally from the rotatablemember 382, e.g., as shown in FIG. 3B. Rotatable assembly 380 isconfigured to house one or more shaped PCBs within the interior spacedefined by inner surfaces (e.g., 74 a and 74 b shown in FIG. 3A) of therotatable member 382 and/or within the interior space defined by innersurfaces (e.g., 84 a and 84 b shown in FIG. 3A) of the hollow body 383.Rotatable assembly 380 includes a plurality of grooves, e.g., 370 a, 370b, 371 a and 371 b, recessed into inner surfaces, e.g., 74 a and 74 b,of the rotatable member 382 and configured to receive therein aperipheral edge portion of one or more shaped PCBs. The shaped PCBs mayhave a generally circular shape, a generally half-circular shape, orother shapes (e.g., PCB 1065 shown in 10).

Second portion 380 b of the rotatable assembly 380 may include a seriesof mechanical interfaces, e.g., detents/flanges 375 a, 375 b, 375 c and375 d shown in FIGS. 3A and 3C, which generally matingly engage acorresponding series of sockets or other mechanical interfaces in thefirst portion 380 a to form the rotatable assembly 380. Second portion380 b includes a tab 89 b, which together with a corresponding tab 89 a(phantomly illustrated in FIG. 3A) disposed on the first portion 380 acooperate to matingly engage the slot 168 formed in the tube 160. As canbe appreciated, this permits selective rotation of the tube 160 about alongitudinal axis “A-A” of the shaft 12 by manipulating the rotatablemember 382 in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3A through 3C, the rotatableassembly 380 is configured to house four, generally half circular-shapedPCBs, 360 a, 360 b, 361 a and 361 b, which are aligned with respect toone another about the tube 160 a form two, generally circular-shaped(split) PCBs. The first, second, third and fourth PCBs 360 a, 360 b, 361a and 361 b, respectively, include a curved peripheral edge portion 364a, 364 b, 365 a and 365 b, respectively, and a generally C-shapedopening “O” having a radius larger than the radius of the tube 160. Theshape, size and relative positions of the first, second, third andfourth PCBs 360 a, 360 b, 361 a and 361 b, respectively, may be variedfrom the configuration depicted in FIG. 3A.

As cooperatively shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the first portion 380 a ofthe rotatable assembly 380 includes a first rotatable-member portion 382a, and the second portion 380 b of the rotatable assembly 380 includes asecond rotatable-member portion 382 b, which, when assembled about thetube 160, form a generally circular rotatable member 382. First portion380 a of the rotatable assembly 380 includes a first hollow-body portion383 a, and the second portion 380 b of the rotatable assembly 380includes a second hollow-body portion 383 b, which, when assembled aboutthe tube 160, form a hollow body 383 (shown in FIG. 3B) coupled to andextending proximally from the rotatable member 382.

First rotatable-member portion 382 a includes a first groove 370 a and asecond groove 371 a defined therein, and the second rotatable-memberportion 382 b includes a third groove 370 b and a fourth groove 371 b.First groove 370 a is configured to receive a peripheral edge portion364 a of the first PCB 360 a, the second groove 371 a is configured toreceive a peripheral edge portion 365 a of the third PCB 361 a, thethird groove 370 b is configured to receive a peripheral edge portion364 b of the second PCB 360 b, and the fourth groove 371 b is configuredto receive a peripheral edge portion 365 b of the fourth PCB 361 b. Thefirst, second, third and fourth grooves 370 a, 371 a, 370 b and 371 b,respectively, may be provided with a suitable adhesive material foraffixing permanently or releasably the generally half circular-shapedPCBs. Providing generally half circular-shaped PCBs (e.g., 360 a, 360 b,361 a and 361 b) to the first rotatable-member portion 382 a and thesecond rotatable-member portion 382 b, according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure, may allow for modularity in the design of therotatable assembly 380, e.g., by allowing the first rotatable-memberportion 382 a and the second rotatable-member portion 382 b toaccommodate various configurations of PCBs, and/or may allow for ease ofassembly of the first rotatable-member portion 382 a and the secondrotatable-member portion 382 b about the tube 160.

FIG. 3C shows an embodiment of the second portion 380 b of the rotatableassembly 380 in accordance with the present disclosure that includes thesecond and fourth PCBs 360 b and 361 b, respectively, with edge portionsthereof disposed in the third and fourth grooves 370 b and 371 b,respectively. The shape, size and relative positions of the first,second, third and fourth grooves 370 a, 370 b, 371 a and 371 b,respectively, may be varied from the configuration depicted in FIGS. 3Aand 3C.

FIGS. 4A through 4C show a rotatable assembly 480 according to anotherembodiment of the present disclosure that includes a rotatable member482 and a hollow body 483 coupled to and extending proximally from therotatable member 482. Rotatable assembly 480 includes a first portion480 a and a second portion 480 b, which, when assembled about the tube160, form the rotatable assembly 480. First portion 480 a and the secondportion 480 b of the rotatable assembly 480 are similar to the firstportion 380 a and the second portion 380 b, respectively, of therotatable assembly 380 shown in FIG. 3A, except for the grooves in theinner surfaces 484 a and 484 b of the hollow body 483 and the innersurfaces 474 a and 474 b of the rotatable member 482.

First portion 480 a of the rotatable assembly 480 includes a firstrotatable-member portion 482 a, and the second portion 480 b of therotatable assembly 480 includes a second rotatable-member portion 482 b,which, when assembled about the tube 160, form the generally circularrotatable member 482. First portion 480 a of the rotatable assembly 480includes a first hollow-body portion 483 a, and the second portion 480 bof the rotatable assembly 480 includes a second hollow-body portion 483b, which, when assembled about the tube 160, form the hollow body 483.As shown in FIG. 4A, the rotatable assembly 480 may be configured tohouse one or more shaped PCBs within the interior space defined by innersurfaces 474 a and 474 b of the rotatable member 482 and within theinterior space defined by inner surfaces 484 a and 484 b of the hollowbody 483.

Rotatable member 482 is configured to house one or more generallycircular-shaped PCBs or generally half circular-shaped PCBs (e.g., 460 aand 460B), and the hollow body 483 is configured to house one or moregenerally circular-shaped PCBs or generally half circular-shaped PCBs(e.g., 461 a, 461 b, 462 a and 462 b).

Rotatable assembly 480 according to one embodiment includes six,generally half circular-shaped PCBs 460 a, 460 b, 461 a, 461 b, 462 aand 462 b, which are aligned with respect to one another about the tube160 to form three, generally circular-shaped (split) PCBs. Inembodiments, the PCBs 460 a, 460 b, 461 a, 461 b, 462 a and 462 binclude a curved peripheral edge portion (e.g., 464 a and 464 b shown inFIG. 4A) and a generally C-shaped opening “O” having a radius largerthan the radius of the tube 160. The shape, size and relative positionsof the PCBs 460 a, 460 b, 461 a, 461 b, 462 a and 462 b may be variedfrom the configuration depicted in FIG. 4A.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4A through 4C, the rotatablemember 482 is provided with two grooves 470 a and 470 b configured toreceive a peripheral edge portion 465 a and 464 b, respectively, of two,generally half circular-shaped PCBs 460 a and 460 b, respectively, andthe hollow body 483 is provided with four grooves 471 a, 471 b, 472 aand 472 b configured to receive a peripheral edge portion of four,generally half circular-shaped PCBs 461 a, 461 b, 462 a and 462 b,respectively. Hollow body 483 may be provided with additional grooves(e.g., 473 a and 474 a) for receiving one or more additional PCBs (notshown), which may be used to offer additional functionality. The shape,size and relative locations of the grooves 470 a, 470 b, 471 a, 471 b,472 a and 472 b may be varied from the configuration depicted in FIGS.4A and 4C. Although six grooves are shown in FIG. 4A, it is to beunderstood that any various numbers of grooves (and/or slots, pockets,channels or other recesses) may be utilized.

Rotatable assembly 480 includes a wall 489 disposed at the proximal endof the hollow body 483. As best illustrated in FIG. 4C, PCBs locatedwithin the hollow body 483 may be disposed in a proximal portion of thehollow body 483, e.g., in relatively close proximity to the wall 489. Inembodiments, one or more PCBs may be disposed in a proximal portion ofthe hollow body 483, and spaced apart, by a length “L”, from PCBslocated within the rotatable member 482, defining an interior cavity490. Length “L” may be any suitable length. Length “L” may be selectedso that the interior cavity 490 is utilizable to house a drive assemblyand/or a knife assembly, or components thereof.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show a rotatable assembly 580 according to anotherembodiment of the present disclosure that includes a first portion 580 aand a second portion 580 b, which, when assembled about the tube 160,form the rotatable assembly 580. Rotatable assembly 580 according tovarious embodiments is configured to house one or more shaped PCBs.

First portion 580 a of the rotatable assembly 580 includes a firstrotatable-member portion 582 a and a first hollow-body portion 583 a,and the second portion 580 b of the rotatable assembly 580 includes asecond rotatable-member portion 582 b and a second hollow-body portion583 b. Inner surfaces of the first rotatable-member portion 582 a and/orthe second rotatable-member portion 582 b may include one or moregrooves, slots, pockets, channels or other recesses configured toreceive at least portions of a shaped PCB. Additionally, oralternatively, inner surfaces of the first hollow-body portion 583 aand/or the second hollow-body portion 583 b may include one or moregrooves (e.g., 471 a, 471 b, 472 a and 472 b shown in FIG. 4A), slots,pockets, channels or other recesses configured to receive at leastportions of a shaped PCB.

Inner surfaces of the first hollow-body portion 583 a and the secondhollow-body portion 583 b may be provided with one or more receptacleassemblies 581 configured to receive at least portions of a PCB. Thepresently-disclosed receptacle assemblies 581 may be configured toinclude an electrical connector part “E” adapted to provide electricalconnection to a PCB.

First rotatable-member portion 582 a and the second rotatable-memberportion 582 b, when assembled about the tube 160, form a rotatablemember 582. Inner surfaces 574 a and 574 b of the rotatable member 582generally define a chamber, or interior cavity, having a diameter “D2”.First hollow-body portion 583 a and the second hollow-body portion 583b, when assembled about the tube 160, form a hollow body 583 coupled toand extending proximally from the rotatable member 582. Inner surfaces584 a and 584 b of the hollow body 583 generally define a chamber, orinterior cavity, having a diameter “D1”.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the rotatable assembly580 includes two, generally circular-shaped PCBs 565 and 566, whichinclude a generally circular-shaped opening “O” having a diameter largerthan the diameter of the tube 160. The shape, size and relativepositions of the PCBs 565 and 566 may be varied from the configurationdepicted in FIGS. 5 and 6.

First PCB 565 generally includes an outer diameter “D3” and an innerdiameter “D2”. The inner diameter “D2” is indicated by the dashed circlein FIG. 5. An interior region 563 of the PCB 565 is defined by the innerdiameter “D2” and the opening “O”. An outer peripheral edge portion 564surrounding the interior region 563 is defined between the outer andinner diameters “D3” and “D2”, respectively.

First rotatable-member portion 582 a includes a first groove 575 a andthe second rotatable-member portion 582 b includes a second groove 575b. As cooperatively shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first groove 575 a andthe second groove 575 b are configured to receive the peripheral edgeportion 564 of the first PCB 565.

Second PCB 566 according to embodiments includes an outer diameter “D1”and an outer diametrical edge 567, and may include one or moreelectrically-conductive portions 562, e.g., metal pads, disposed alongthe outer diametrical edge 567. In embodiments, the receptacleassemblies 581 are configured to receive at least portions of the secondPCB 566, and may be configured to include electrical connector parts “E”adapted to provide electrical connection to electrically-conductiveportions 562 of the second PCB 566.

Electrically-conductive portions 562 may be configured to align with andelectrically connect with the electrical connector parts “E” of thereceptacle assemblies 581 disposed within, or otherwise associated with,the hollow body 583 and/or the rotatable member 582. Theelectrically-conductive portions 562 may be used as grounding pads, orfor electrically interconnecting circuit members, e.g., PCBs, and/or forproviding electrical connection to and between electrical components.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a rotatable assembly 780 according to an embodimentof the present disclosure that includes a first portion 780 a and asecond portion 780 b, which, when assembled about the tube 160, form therotatable assembly 780. Rotatable assembly 780 according to variousembodiments is configured to house one or more shaped PCBs.

The first portion 780 a of the rotatable assembly 780 includes a firstrotatable-member portion 782 a, and the second portion 780 b of therotatable assembly 780 includes a second rotatable-member portion 782 b,which, when assembled about the tube 160, form rotatable member 782. Thepresently-disclosed rotatable member 782 according to variousembodiments may be configured to house one or more generallycircular-shaped PCBs or generally half circular-shaped PCBs. Asillustrated in FIG. 7, the inner surfaces 774 a and 774 b of therotatable member 782 may include a first groove 770 a and a secondgroove 770 b, respectively. Rotatable member 782 is similar to therotatable member 582 shown in FIG. 5, and further description thereof isomitted in the interests of brevity.

First portion 780 a of the rotatable assembly 780 includes a firsthollow-body portion 783 a, and the second portion 780 b of the rotatableassembly 780 includes a second hollow-body portion 783 b, which, whenassembled about the tube 160, form a hollow body 783. In the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the hollow body 483 is configured to housetwo, shaped PCBs 763 and 764.

PCBs 763 and 764 include a generally circular-shaped opening “O” havinga diameter larger than the diameter of the tube 160. PCBs 763 and 764according to embodiments include two tab portions “T” protruding fromopposite sides of a generally circular-shaped interior portion 712.

Inner surfaces 784 a and 784 b of the first hollow-body portion 783 aand the second hollow-body portion 783 b, respectively, are providedwith slots or channels (e.g., 773 b and 774 b shown in FIG. 7)configured to receive therein the tab portions “T” of the PCBs 763 and764. The shape and size of the tab portions “T” and the slots orchannels for engagement with the tab portions “T” may be varied from theconfiguration depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8.

One or more grooves may additionally, or alternatively be provided tothe inner surfaces 784 a and 784 b of the hollow body 783 and configuredto receive therein portions of one or more generally circular-shapedPCBs and/or generally half circular-shaped PCBs (e.g., similar to thegrooves 471 b and 472 b shown in FIG. 4A), and/or one or more slots orchannels may be provided to the inner surfaces 774 a and 774 b of therotatable member 782 (e.g., similar to the slots or channels 773 b and774 b shown in FIG. 7) configured to receive tab portions of PCBs (e.g.,similar to the tab portions “T” of the PCBs 763 and 764).

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of a generally circular-shaped PCB 965according to the present disclosure that includes an outer diametricaledge 967 and a generally circular-shaped opening “O” having a diameterlarger than the diameter of the tube 160. PCB 965 includes a cut-outportion “C” defining a void that extends from the opening “O” to theouter diametrical edge 567. Cut-out portion “C” generally has a width“W” that is larger than the diameter of the tube 160. Cut-out “C”portion is configured to allow the tube 160 to be passed through thecut-out portion “C” into the opening “O” and may allow for ease ofinstallation of the PCB 965 about the tube 160. PCB 965 includes aplurality of fastener holes 982, which may be spaced apart from eachother and disposed substantially adjacent to the outer diametrical edge967.

As cooperatively shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the PCB 965 generally includesa first surface “S1” and a second surface “S2”. PCB 965 may include oneor more electrically-conductive portions 962, e.g., metal pads, disposedon the first surface “S1”, which may be used as grounding pads, or forelectrically interconnecting circuit members, e.g., PCBs, and/or forproviding electrical connection to and between electrical components.Electrically-conductive portions 962 may take a variety of shapes andsizes. Electrically-conductive portions 962 may have a ring-like shape,and may be coaxially-disposed about one or more of the fastener holes982, e.g., as shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of a shaped PCB 1065 according to thepresent disclosure that includes two concave-outward edges 1011 and1012, two concave-inward edges 1016 and 1017, and two peripheral edgeportions 1064 associated with the two concave-inward edges 1016 and1017. The peripheral edge portions 1064 are indicated by the two dashedconcave-inward lines in FIG. 10. PCB 1065 includes a generallycircular-shaped opening “O” having a diameter larger than the diameterof the tube 160.

Embodiments of the presently-disclosed rotatable assembly (e.g., 380,480, 580 and 780 shown in FIGS. 3A, 4A, 5 and 7, respectively) may beconfigured for receiving the peripheral edge portions 1064 of the shapedPCB 1065 in one or more grooves recessed into inner surfaces of arotatable member. As illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, when the shaped PCB1065 is housed in an embodiment of the presently-disclosed rotatablemember (e.g., 1390 shown in FIG. 13), the concave-outward edges 1011 and1012 define open spaces (e.g., 1021 and 1022 shown in FIG. 13), whichmay allow airflow to pass the edges 1011 and 1012 into interior portionsof the rotatable assembly, e.g., for cooling electrical components ofthe PCB 1065 and/or other components. The shape and size of theconcave-outward edges 1011 and 1012, the concave-inward edges 1016 and1017, the peripheral edge portions 1064, and the opening “O” may bevaried from the configuration depicted in FIG. 10.

FIG. 11 shows a rotatable assembly 1180 according to another embodimentof the present disclosure that includes a rotatable member 1182configured to house the PCB 965 shown in FIG. 9. As shown in FIGS. 11and 12, the interior space defined within the rotatable member 1182 isconfigured to receive the PCB 965 therein. As best illustrated in FIG.12, the presently-disclosed rotatable member 1182 according to variousembodiments includes a backing member 985.

Shaped PCBs according to the present disclosure (e.g., 965) may befixedly and/or removably secured to the backing member 985. As shown inFIG. 12, a plurality of support pegs 981 may be disposed on the backingmember 985 in a spaced relation corresponding to the pattern of fastenerholes 982 of the PCB 965. In embodiments the PCB 965 is coupled to thesupport pegs 981. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a plurality of fasteners983 may extend through the fastener holes into the plurality of pegs983. Fasteners 983 may be any suitable fastener used to fixedly securethe PCB 965 to the support pegs 981. Examples of fasteners that may besuitable for use as the fasteners 983 include pins and threadedfasteners, e.g., screws, which may be formed of metal, plastic or anyother suitable material. It will be appreciated that other suitablefasteners may be used such as adhesively-bonded fasteners. Inembodiments, the PCB 965 may be removably secured to the support pegs981.

As mentioned above, the shaft 12 (e.g., shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3A and 4A)and/or the end effector assembly 100 may be disposable and, therefore,selectively and/or releasably engagable with the housing 20 and therotating assembly 80 to form a partially disposable forceps 10 and/orthe entire forceps 10 may be disposable after use. In embodiments, thePCB 965 may be disposable and, therefore, removable (e.g., removablysecured to the support pegs 981 or the backing member 985) from thepresently-disclosed rotatable assembly.

FIG. 13 shows a rotatable assembly 1380 according to another embodimentof the present disclosure that includes a rotatable member 1382.Rotatable member 1382 includes one or more grooves (e.g., similar to thegrooves 370 a, 370 b, 371 a and 371 b shown in FIG. 3) recessed intoinner surfaces of the rotatable member 1182 and configured to receivetherein a peripheral edge portion of one or more shaped PCBs.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, the rotatable member1182 is configured to house the PCB 1065 of FIG. 10. As mentioned above,the concave-outward edges 1011 and 1012 of the PCB define open spaces1021 and 1022, respectively, which may allow airflow to pass the edges1011 and 1012 into interior portions of the rotatable assembly 1380,e.g., for cooling electrical components of the PCB 1065 and/or othercomponents housed within the rotatable assembly 1380.

Various embodiments of the presently-disclosed rotatable assemblyinclude a rotatable member configured to house one or more shaped PCBswithin an interior space defined by inner surfaces of the rotatablemember. The above-described rotatable assembly may include a hollow bodyconfigured to house one or more shaped PCBs within an interior spacedefined by inner surfaces of the hollow body. In embodiments, the hollowbody is coupled to the rotatable member and extends proximally and/ordistally therefrom.

The above-described rotatable assembly may include one or morereceptacle assemblies (e.g., 581 shown in FIG. 5) and/or grooves (e.g.,370 a shown in FIG. 3A) and/or slots (e.g., 773 b shown in FIG. 7)recessed into, or otherwise associated with, inner surfaces of therotatable member and/or the hollow body, configured to receive thereinportions of the presently-disclosed shaped PCBs. The above-describedelectrosurgical devices including the presently-disclosed rotatableassembly may be wired or wireless devices.

Although embodiments have been described in detail with reference to theaccompanying drawings for the purpose of illustration and description,it is to be understood that the inventive processes and apparatus arenot to be construed as limited thereby. It will be apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art that various modifications to the foregoingembodiments may be made without departing from the scope of thedisclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electrosurgical instrument, comprising: ahousing having an elongated shaft extending therefrom, the elongatedshaft defining a longitudinal axis; a rotatable member disposed withinthe housing configured to rotate with respect to the housing such thatthe elongated shaft is rotated about the longitudinal axis in responseto rotation of the rotatable member, the rotatable member including aninner surface; and an electrical component supported by the innersurface, the elongated shaft having a proximal portion secured to therotatable member proximal of the electrical component.
 2. Theelectrosurgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the electricalcomponent includes a printed circuit board supported by the innersurface.
 3. The electrosurgical instrument according to claim 2, whereinthe inner surface defines an inner space that houses the printed circuitboard.
 4. The electrosurgical instrument according to claim 2, whereinthe printed circuit board is half circular-shaped and includes a linearedge orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the elongated shaft.
 5. Theelectrosurgical instrument according to claim 4, wherein the printedcircuit board defines a C-shaped opening on the linear edge that has aradius larger than a radius of the elongated shaft.
 6. Theelectrosurgical instrument according to claim 2, wherein the printedcircuit board is circular-shaped.
 7. The electrosurgical instrumentaccording to claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the rotatable memberdefines a groove that receives a peripheral edge portion of theelectrical component.
 8. The electrosurgical instrument according toclaim 1, wherein the electrical component is planar and defines anopening positioned about the elongated shaft.
 9. The electrosurgicalinstrument according to claim 1, wherein a plane defined by theelectrical component is transverse to the longitudinal axis of theelongated shaft.
 10. The electrosurgical instrument according to claim1, further comprising a hollow body including an interior surfacedefining an interior space, the hollow body coupled to the rotatablemember such that an inner space defined by the inner surface of therotatable member is in communication with the interior space defined bythe hollow body.
 11. The electrosurgical instrument according to claim10, further comprising a receptacle assembly coupled to the interiorsurface of the hollow body, the receptacle assembly configured toreceive a portion of the electrical component.
 12. The electrosurgicalinstrument according to claim 11, wherein the electrical componentincludes an outer diametrical edge and an electrically conductiveportion disposed along the outer diametrical edge.
 13. Theelectrosurgical instrument according to claim 12, wherein receptacleassembly includes an electrical connector adapted to provide anelectrical connection to the electrically conductive portion of theelectrical component.
 14. The electrosurgical instrument according toclaim 1, wherein the housing includes a handle assembly having first andsecond handles, at least one of the first or second handles moveablerelative to the other handle.
 15. The electrosurgical instrumentaccording to claim 14, further comprising an end effector coupled to adistal end of the elongated shaft.
 16. The electrosurgical instrumentaccording to claim 15, wherein the end effector is actuatable bymovement of the first handle relative to the second handle.
 17. Anelectrosurgical instrument, comprising: a housing having an elongatedshaft extending therefrom, the elongated shaft defining a longitudinalaxis; a rotatable member disposed on the housing configured to rotatewith respect to the housing such that the elongated shaft is rotatedabout the longitudinal axis in response to rotation of the rotatablemember, the rotatable member including an inner surface defining aninner space; and a first printed circuit board disposed within the innerspace, the elongated shaft having a proximal portion secured to therotatable member proximal of the first printed circuit board.
 18. Theelectrosurgical instrument according to claim 17, wherein the firstprinted circuit board is half circular-shaped and includes a firstlinear edge orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the elongated shaft.19. The electrosurgical instrument according to claim 18, furthercomprising a second printed circuit board disposed within the innerspace defined by the rotatable member, the second printed circuit boardbeing half circular-shaped and including a second linear edge orthogonalto the longitudinal axis of the elongated shaft, the first and secondlinear edges abutting one another.
 20. The electrosurgical instrumentaccording to claim 19, wherein each of the first and second linear edgesdefine a C-shaped opening, the C-shaped openings of the first and secondlinear edges aligned with one another to define a circular opening aboutthe elongated shaft.